Abdul El-Sayed did not have to become less Muslim to win

Michigan Elects Abdul El-Sayed to U.S. Senate, First Muslim Senator

Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race on Tuesday, according to results from Wayne County. El-Sayed will become the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.

The outcome drew attention from Muslim communities in Michigan and observers in New York, Gaza, Pakistan, and Australia. El-Sayed had previously run for governor in 2018 and maintained visibility through local appearances, including Friday sermons at mosques and town halls during Ramadan. At one such event attended by several dozen community members, he stated his intent to address issues affecting all residents of the state.

El-Sayed attended the University of Michigan and participated in the Muslim Students’ Association. Alumni and former associates described his involvement in campus activities. In the final weeks of the campaign, he attended events with students and graduates, including a football tailgate organized by Muslim alumni. Reports indicated he continued personal responses to messages from supporters amid the campaign schedule.

During the race, El-Sayed’s positions included criticism of U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza. He also addressed domestic topics such as groceries, housing, healthcare access, and affordability. Opponents, including President Donald Trump, publicly referenced El-Sayed’s middle name, Muhammad, in remarks that drew criticism from supporters. Some campaign materials and statements questioned his associations, though El-Sayed stated he did not belong to the groups cited.

AIPAC-affiliated super PACs spent approximately $30 million in the Democratic primary opposing El-Sayed’s candidacy. In his victory remarks, El-Sayed referenced the spending and noted the outcome. Michigan voters ultimately selected him over Rogers in the general election.

El-Sayed’s campaign included stops in small towns, industrial areas, and suburbs, as well as visits to churches and mosques. He won the statewide contest despite Michigan having supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Other Muslim candidates won races in the same cycle, including Adam Hamawy in a New Jersey congressional district and several candidates for state legislative seats in multiple states.

Some Michigan voters who supported El-Sayed expressed reservations about his appearances with former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama, citing those administrations’ records on foreign policy and drone operations. El-Sayed stated during the campaign that he did not endorse every policy of his backers. Observers noted that his platform linked foreign policy spending to domestic priorities including healthcare, clean water, and wages.

El-Sayed’s record as health director and his specific legislative proposals beyond the campaign statements remain subject to further reporting and scrutiny by constituents and oversight bodies. His election does not alter existing U.S. government policies on any single issue.

The result occurred in a state with established Muslim American institutions, including mosques, schools, and businesses in areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck. University of Michigan has faced prior legal questions regarding its handling of campus protests related to the Gaza conflict.

El-Sayed’s victory speech opened with his full name and included Arabic phrases such as “inshallah” and “alhamdulillah.” Supporters described the moment as significant given prior public challenges to his candidacy based on his background. Critics maintained that policy differences, rather than identity alone, drove opposition.

The election has prompted discussion about the range of acceptable positions for candidates on U.S. foreign policy and the influence of outside spending in primaries. El-Sayed is scheduled to take office in January.